Thailand

At least 9 killed as firecrackers explode at warehouse in Thailand

The firecrackers set off a fire on Saturday at the unauthorised warehouse at the Muno market in Su-ngai Kolok district in the southern province of Narathiwat bordering Malaysia, Narathiwat's Governor Sanan Phongaksorn said.

"There are 10 deaths plus the remains of two unidentified persons, which were sent for DNA checks," Sanan said.

He said 121 people were injured, two severely, while 111 had been discharged from hospital, he said. "But there should be no more deaths."

Thailand decides to mix jabs as cases spike

The decision comes after hundreds of medical workers caught Covid despite being fully vaccinated with Sinovac.

Instead of two Sinovac shots, people will now receive the AstraZeneca vaccine after their first Sinovac shot.

Health workers already fully vaccinated with Sinovac will also receive a third booster from a different vaccine.

This can be either the AstraZeneca vaccine, or an mRNA vaccine like Pfizer/BioNTech. This third dose will be given three to four weeks after their second Sinovac jab, said the country's National Infectious Disease Committee on Monday.

McDonald's BTS meals: Indonesia branches forced to shut due to high orders

Complete and utter chaos, it seems.

Or at least that was the experience of a number of Indonesian branches of McDonald's, which found themselves so swamped with demand for the newly launched BTS Meal they had to close.

Indeed, so many people ordered the meal inspired by the Korean boyband that there were fears it could cause a new Covid hotspot.

"We temporarily closed four of six McDonald's stores here in Semarang for a couple of days," Fajar Purwoto, the Indonesian city's public order agency head, said, according to news agency AFP.

Italian George Clooney fraudsters arrested in Thailand

Francesco Galdelli, 58, and Vanja Goffi, 45 have been wanted on an Interpol red notice since 2013.

The Hollywood star sued them and in a 2010 trial in Italy testified against them, saying they had fraudulently used his name.

They are also accused of a series of other scams and frauds in Italy.

They had fled their home country to avoid arrest and had been dubbed the Italian Bonnie and Clyde after the legendary US gangster couple.

Manchester United invite Thai cave survivors to Old Trafford

The 12 boys and their coach became trapped in the cave system after heavy rain in northern Thailand on June 23, and the mission to bring them back to the surface has gripped the world's attention.

On Tuesday, the final members of the team were brought out to complete the rescue, and the news has been welcomed across football.

United hailed the news and offered a trip to Manchester during the 2018-19 campaign for the group and their rescuers.

Thailand cave rescue: Mission to save boys under way

Teams entered the cave at 10:00 local time (03:00 GMT), operation chief Narongsak Osottanakorn told reporters.

All non-essential staff have been cleared from the site near the entrance, leaving only diving teams, medics and security forces.

The boys were exploring the cave on 23 June when they were cut off by water.

Thirteen foreign divers and five from the Thai Navy are involved in the rescue mission.

Thailand cave rescue: Diver dies while taking in supplies

Saman Gunan, 38, lost consciousness on his way out of the Tham Luang cave complex after delivering supplies and could not be revived.

"His job was to deliver oxygen. He did not have enough on his way back," said an official.

The diver had left the navy but returned to help the rescue operation.

Mr Gunan, said to be an avid runner and cyclist, was part of a massive rescue operation which started almost two weeks ago after the group went into the Tham Luang cave.

'Zero risks' to be taken in rescue of boys

They have received their first food and medical treatment in 10 days.

Seven divers, including a doctor and a nurse, joined the group inside the caves in the north of the country after they were discovered alive on Monday.

Rescuers are now considering how best to bring the group to safety.

"We will not rush to take the lads out of the cave," the governor of Chiang Rai, Narongsak Osoththanakorn, told reporters, adding: "Whoever has zero risk first can leave the cave first."

Boys found alive after nine days in cave in Thailand

They were discovered by two British divers on a ledge in a cavern after a marathon search operation in the Tham Luang caves in Chiang Rai.

The challenge now will be to extract the party safely, with rising water and mud impeding access.

Families of the missing group were ecstatic at news of the rescue.

Rescuers had hoped they would find safety on a ledge in an underground chamber nicknamed Pattaya Beach but they were found 400m (440 yards) away having moved to higher ground to avoid the rising water.

How did they find them?

Thailand begins royal cremation for late King Bhumibol Adulyadej

The revered king died in October 2016 aged 88.

He will be cremated later on Thursday, in a royal pyre to be lit by his son and successor to the throne, King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

The funeral officially started on Wednesday with a merit-making ceremony, a Buddhist rite, in the Grand Palace.

A series of Buddhist rites began in the royal palace on Thursday morning. Later, the royal urn will be moved onto a chariot and brought in a large procession to the site of the cremation.